Re-ranking the college football teams: BYU and USU make big jumps

Utah State running back Joey DiMartino carries the ball during an NCAA college football game against Air Force, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, in Air Force Academy, Colo. Utah State won 52-20.

Kent Nishimura, AP

Summary

What a difference a week can make for college football teams. After a week of many upsets and disappointments, Paul Myerberg, a writer for USA Today Sports, re-ranked all the college football teams. BYU and Utah State were both top movers.

“It's a great feeling, first of all, to get Coach Wells' first win and knowing it's our first Mountain West win is incredible as well. Were extremely happy, especially coming off the loss (to rival Utah) last week. So this is a lot of momentum that we needed. It's going to be a fun season.”

USU quarterback Chuckie Keeton

What a difference a week can make for college football teams. It is commonly known that teams make the most progress from week one to week two. Looking at how the local in-state teams fared this past weekend, this axiom held true.

However, not every team was making progress, as is evident with the performances of Texas, USC, Notre Dame and Florida. So where do teams stand after week two of the college football season?

After seven days of many upsets and disappointments, Paul Myerberg, a writer for USA Today Sports, re-ranked all the college football teams. BYU as well as Utah State were both top movers, moving up 13 and 14 spots to nos. 33 and 52, respectively.

BYU dominated No. 15 Texas in convincing fashion with a 40-21 win. BYU set a school record with 550 rushing yards, the most Texas has ever given up. After the game Texas coach Mack Brown hinted changes were coming. They came quickly: the very next day defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was fired.

BYU’s performance was very impressive, particularly considering the Cougars' loss of their season-opening game against Virginia.

Utah State also impressed as it played in its first Mountain West Conference game since joining the league. Utah State crushed Air Force 52-20 behind Chuckie Keeton’s five touchdown passes, which tied his own school record.

Keeton talked about the win, saying, “It's a great feeling, first of all, to get Coach Wells' first win, and knowing it's our first Mountain West win is incredible as well. We're extremely happy, especially coming off the loss (to rival Utah) last week. So this is a lot of momentum that we needed. It's going to be a fun season.”

While Utah did not make any splash in the poll, the Utes continue to show how hungry they are to make a bowl game this season. After thrashing Weber State 70-7 the Utes find themselves undefeated heading into week three of the college football season. They will look to keep their unbeaten streak alive as they start PAC-12 play against Oregon State on Saturday.

Popular Comments

Your smack talk might be worth something IF you defeat a
Pac-12 opponent with a winning record. U have yet to do that since joining the
league.

1:38 p.m. Sept. 9, 2013

Top comment

Funny/witty screen name

Orem, UT

Ya most national progams tend to sit home during the hollidays, dont beat any
decent conference teams and brag about beating a lowly weber state team...
sounds about right to me

1:19 p.m. Sept. 9, 2013

Top comment

pm2215

Clearfield, UT

Chris B,

It's funny how all Utah has to do is play two teams
from Utah to prove they are a "true national program." BYU is going
about this all wrong. We need less Texas, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame and more
Southern Utah, Weber
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A recent graduate from the University of Utah, Justin currently holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with an emphasis in journalism and sports communication. Since he can remember, he has always had a passion more ..